Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Samuel 14

NOW it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines garison , that is on the other side : but he told not his father .

This was a rash and foolish Attempt, if it be examined by common Rules; but not so, if we consider the singular promises made to the Israelites, That one should chase a thousand, &c. and especially the heroical and extraordinary Motions which were then frequently put into the minds of gallant Men, by Gods Spirit, whereby they undertook and accomplished noble and wonderful things; as did Sampson, and David and his Worthies.

Beyond that Rocky Passage described below, v. 4, 13. which he pointed at with his hand.

Lest he should hinder him in so improbable an Enterprize. Nor was it necessary he should inform him of it, because he had a Commission from his Father, to Fight when he saw occasion; as he had done without his Fathers privity, Chap. 13. 3.

Marginal references: Or, there was a day.

2 And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah , under a pomegranate tree, which is in Migron : and the people that were with him, were about six hundred men:

In the Outworks of the City where he had Intrenched himself to observe the Motion of the Philistines.

Or, towards (as the Hebrew B[illegible: 1+ letters]th is oft used) Migron, which was another place, but near Gibeah; See Isa. 10. 28.

Marginal references: Chap. 13 [illegible: 1 word]

3 And Ahiah the son of Ahitub , Ichabods brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD's priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod : and the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.

The same who is called Abimelech, 1 Sam. 22. 9, 11, 20. the High-priest, who was here to attend upon the Ark which was brought hither, v. 18.

To wit, the High-priests Ephod, wherein the Urim and Thummim was.

Marginal references: Chap. [illegible: 1 word]

¶ 4 And between the passages , by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines garison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side : and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.

So these might be two known and common passages, both which Ionathan must cross, or pass over to go to the Philistines, between which the following Rocks lay. But the Words may be rendred thus, In the middle (for so the Hebrew Particle, ben, signifies, as Isa. 44. 4. and beth, in, is understood by a very frequent Ellipsis) of the passage; the Plural Number being put for the Singular, as is frequent.

Which is not so to be understood, as if in this Passage one Rock was on the right hand, and the other on the left; for so he should have gone between both: and there was no need of climbing up to them, which is mentioned below, v. 13. But the meaning is, that the tooth (for prominency) of the one rock, (as it is in the Hebrew) was on the one side, i. e. Northward, looking towards Michmash (the Garison of the Philistines) and the tooth of the other rock was on the other side; i. e. Southward looking towards Gibeah (where Saul's Camp lay) as the next verse informs us: and Ionathan was forced to climb over these two Rocks, because the other and common ways from one Town to the other, might now be obstructed, or were not so fit for his present Design.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word] tooth[illegible: 1+ letters] See [illegible: 1 word]

6 And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garison of these uncircumcised , it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many, or by few.

So he calls them, partly in contempt, and principally to strengthen his Faith by this consideration, That his Enemies were Enemies to God, and without any hope in God, or help from him; whereas he was Circumcised, and therefore in Covenant with God, who was both able, and engaged to assist his people.

He speaks doubtfully: for though he found and felt himself stirred up by God to this Exploit, and was assured that God would deliver his People; yet he was not certain that he would do it at this time, and in this way.

To wit, great and wonderful things.

There is no person nor thing which can hinder God from thus doing.

Marginal references: 2 C[illegible: 1+ letters] 11.

7 And his armour-bearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee : behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.

March on to the Enemies.

10 But if they say thus, Come up unto us: then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us .

Ionathan not being assured of the success of this present Exploit, desires a sign; and, by the instinct of God's Spirit, as the success shews, pitcheth upon this. Divers such heroical Motions and extraordinary impulses there were among great and good men in ancient times; as Gen. 24. 13. Iudg. 6. 37. which are not presidents to us.

11 And both of them discovered themselves unto the garison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes , where they had hid themselves.

Therefore Ionathan chose that Rocky and unusual way, that the Philistines might suppose they did not come from Saul's Camp to Fight with them, but rather out of the Caves, and holes of the Rocks, from which their necessity had now driven them.

12 And the men of the garison answered Jonathan and his armour-bearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing . And Jonathan said unto his armour-bearer, Come up after me, for the Lord hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.

We having something of Importance to communicate to you. A Speech of contempt and derision.

He piously and modestly ascribes the Success which he now foresees, to God onely.

13 And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands, and upon his feet, and his armour-bearer after him : and they fell before Jonathan, and his armourbearer slew after him .

The Philistines could easily have hindred their Ascent, but thought scorn to do it, not questioning but they could cut them off in a moment when they were come up to them according to their invitation.

For being endowed with extraordinary strength and courage, and having with incredible boldness killed the first they met with, and so proceeding with success, it is not strange if the Philistines were both astonished and intimidated; God also struck them with a Panick Terror; and withal, infatuated their Minds, and possibly, put an Evil Spirit among them, which in this universal Confusion made them conceive that there was Treachery amongst themselves, and therefore caused them to sheath their Swords in one anothers Bowels; as appears from v. 16, 20.

15 And there was trembling in the host, in the field , and among all the people : the garison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked : so it was a very great trembling.

A great Consternation; partly, from this unexpected and prodigious Slaughter, which made them suspect, there was more than Man in the Case; and that the Lord (of whose infinite Power they had had former experience) was come forth to Fight against them; and partly, from the Lord, who took away their Spirits and Strength, and struck them with Fear and Amazement.

i. e. In the whole Host which was there in the Field.

i. e. Among all the rest of their Forces, as well those in the Garison, (as it is here explained in the following words) at Michmash, as the Spoilers, mentioned chap. 13. 17. the report of this Prodigy, and with it the Terror of God speedily passing from one to another.

Either 1. Metaphorically and Hyperbolically, the whole Land; i. e. the Inhabitants of the Land: to wit, of the Philistines, Trembled. Or rather, 2. Properly, God sent an Earthquake among them, which probably overthrew their Tents and Chariots, and destroyed many of their Persons, and scattered the whole Host, making them to flee away for their lives.

Marginal references: Heb. a trembling of God.; Gen. 35. 5.

16 And the Watch-men of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked: and behold, the multitude melted away , and they went on beating down one another .

Or, in the hill, as the very same word is rendred chap. 13. 16. and that was the fittest place for Watch-men.

[illegible: 1+ letters]e wit, of that Numerous Host of the Philistines.

i. e. were strangely and suddenly dispersed, and put to Flight.

Either, 1. accidentally through hasty Flight: Or 2. with Design to destroy one another as the Authors or Abettors of the present Calamity. Possibly God blinded their Eyes or their Minds, that they could not distinguish Friends from Foes. Compare Iudg. 7. 22. 2 King. 6. 18, &c. 2 Chron. 20. 23.

17 Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us . And when they had numbred, behold Jonathan and his armour-bearer were not there.

For he probably supposed, that not onely Ionathan, but also some considerable number of his Army [illegible: 1 word], and that by them that Slaughter was made.

18 And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God : (for the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel .)

That the Priest may put on the Ephod, and may enquire of the Lord before the Ark what the occasion of this Tumult among our Enemies is, and what we shall do.

To wit, in the Camp, whither sometimes it was brought; as 1 Sam. 4. 5. And now the rather, partly because it was now in an unsetled condition, and without the Tabernacle, and therefore easily removed from place to place: and partly, because Saul thought to compensate Samuel's absence with the presence of the Ark.

19 ¶ And it came to pass while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand .

Trouble not thy self in putting on the Breast-plate, with the Ephod, to enquire of God; for I now plainly discern the matter, the business calls not for Prayer, but for Action. But if it did so, there was the more need of Gods direction and blessing, that they might act with more success. Herein therefore he shews his Impatience in waiting upon God; his Hypocrisie, in pretending to Religion; and yet his Prophaneness, in neglecting and despising it.

Marginal references: Or. [illegible: 1 word].

20 And Saul and all the people that were with him, assembled themselves, and they came to the battel, and behold, every mans sword was against his fellow , and there was a very great discomfiture.

The Philistines slew one another; which might come, either from mistake; of which, see on v. 16. Or from mutual Jealousies and Passions, to which God could easily dispose them.

Marginal references: Heb were cried together.; Judg. 7. 2[illegible: 1+ letters]. 2 Chron. [illegible: 1+ letters]0. 23.

21 Moreover, the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp , from the countrey round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.

Either by constraint, as Servants; or in Policy, to gain their favour and protection.

23 So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battel passed over unto Beth-aven.

i. e. The Warriers who were engaged in the Battel, and were Pursuing and Fighting with the Philistines.

24 ¶ And the men of Israel were distressed that day; for Saul had adjured the people, saying. Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies : so none of the people tasted any food .

With Hunger, and Weakness, and Faintness, thence arising; and all by reason of the following Oath.

As Sauls in[illegible: 1+ letters]mion was good; namely, to Execute Vengeance upon Gods and his Enemies: so the matter of the Obligation was not simply and in it self Unlawful, if it had not been so rigorous in excluding all Food, without any exception of Cases of Necessity; and in obliging the People to it under pain of a Curse, and an accursed Death; v. 38, 39, 44. which was a Punishment far exceeding the Fault.

Partly, in obedience to the Kings Command; and partly, for fear of the Curse.

25 And all they of the land came to a wood, and there was honey upon the ground.

Heb. all the land. i. e. The People of the Land; as it is explained below, v. 30. and so the word is taken, Gen. 41. 57. All the Israelites who were with Saul.

26 And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped , but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath.

It hath been observed by many Travellers, and Writers, That Bees do oft-times settle themselves, and make their Hives, and Honey, in the Trunks of Trees, or Clefts of Rocks, or Holes of the Earth; and this in divers Countries, but eminently in this of Canaan; as may be gathered from Deut. 32. 13. Psal. 81. 16. whence it was called, a land flowing with milk and honey.

27 But Jonathan heard not , when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipt it in an honey comb, and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes were enlightned .

Being then absent, and in pursuit of the Philistines, divers of the Israelites having joyned themselves with him, v. 21.

He was refreshed, and recovered his lost Spirits, whereof part went into his Optick Nerves, and so cleared his sight, which was much darkned by Famine, as is usual.

28 Then answered one of the people , and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were saint.

Who came along with Saul, whose Forces were now united with Ionathan's.

Marginal references: Or, weary.

29 Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land : see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightned, because I tasted a little of this honey.

i. e. The people of the Land, the whole Army, whom by this rash Oath he hath greatly injured. The Zeal of defending himself, makes him run into the other Extream of accusing his Father, and that before the People, whom by this means he might have stirred up to a Sedition.

31 And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Ajalon : and the people were very faint.

Either that in Dan, Ios. 19. 42. Or rather, that in Iudah, 2 Chron. 11. 10.

32 And the people flew upon the spoil , and took sheep and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground, and the people did eat them with the blood .

To wit, at Evening, when the time prefixed by Saul was expired.

Not having patience to tarry till the blood was perfectly gone out of them, as they should have done. See Gen. 9. 4. Levit. 17. 14. Deut. 12. 16. So they who seemed to make conscience of the Kings Commandment for fear of the Curse, make no scruple of transgressing Gods Command.

Marginal references: Lev. 7. 26. and 19. 26. Deut. 12. 16.

33 ¶ Then they told Saul, saying, Behold the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed : roll a great stone unto me this day.

He sees their fault, but not his own, in giving the occasion to it.

That the cattel might be all killed in one place, under the inspection of Saul, or some other appointed by him for that work; and upon the stone, that the blood may sooner and better flow out.

Marginal references: Or▪ dealt treacherously.

34 And Saul said, Disperse your selves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his oxe, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat, and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his oxe with him that night, and slew them there.

And his Sheep, which is to be understood out of the foregoing words.

Marginal references: Heb. in [illegible: 1 word] hand.

35 And Saul built an altar unto the LORD : the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD .

Either for a Monument of the Victory: or rather, for Sacrifice, as the next words imply.

Though he had occasion to do so oft ere this time. So this is noted as another Evidence of his Neglect of God, and his Worship. It is true, Saul [illegible: 1 word] befo[illegible: 1+ letters]e this, as at Gilgal; but that was upon an old Altar, Erected by others.

Marginal references: Heb. that [illegible: 1+ letters] tar he beg[illegible: 1+ letters] to build unto the LORD.

36 ¶ And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the Priest , Let us draw near hither unto God.

Remembring Saul's Contempt of Gods Ordinance the last time, and the ill Consequence of it; and perceiving Saul ready to run into the same Error again, even though he had not now the same pretence of the necessity of haste as before, and that the people were forward to comply with the motion, he gives them this pious and prudent Advice.

To wit, to the Ark; as above, v. 18.

37 And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? but he answered him not that day .

Either, 1. Because he was displeased with Saul for his former neglect, v. 18, 19. where he began to ask advice of God, but was so Rude and Impious, as not to tarry for an Answer; and therefore it was but a just Retaliation, if when Saul did ask, God would not vouchsafe him an Answer. Or, 2. To manifest his dislike of the violation of Oaths. For although Ionathan might have a fair excuse from his invincible Ignorance, and urgent Necessity; and though Saul had done foolishly in making this Oath (which also God would this way discover,) yet, when once it was made, God would hereby teach them, that it should be observed; and that they should abstain, even from all appearance of the Breach of it.

38 And Saul said, Draw ye near hither all the chief of the people : and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day.

In the Name of all the People, that you may be Witnesses, and may see where the Fault lies.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word] Judg. 20. 2.

39 For as the LORD liveth which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall furely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him .

None of those who either saw Ionathan Eating, or heard of it, informed against him; partly, because they were satisfied, that his Ignorance excused him, and that there was some other reason of Gods not answering: and partly, from their great Love to Ionathan, whom they would not Expose to Death for so small an Offence.

41 Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect lot . And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped .

Or, declare (for giving, is oft put for declaring, or pronouncing, as Deut. 11. 29. and 13. 1, 2. Prov. 9. 9.) the perfect, or guiltless person. i. e. O Lord, so guide the Lot, that it may discover who is Guilty in this Matter, and that it may clear the Innocent.

To wit, the Danger; they were pronounced Guiltless.

Marginal references: Heb. Give Th[illegible: 1+ letters]mmim. Deut. 33. 8.; Or, shew the innocent.; Heb. [illegible: 1 word] forth.

42 And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son: and Jonathan was taken .

God so ordered the Lot; not that he approved Saul's Execration, v. 24. or his Oath that the Transgressor should die, v. 39. nor that he would expose Ionathan to Death (for he Designed so to rule the hearts of the People, and of Saul also, that Ionathan should not die); but because he would have the whole matter brought to light; partly, that Saul's Folly might be chastised, when he saw what Danger it had brought upon his Eldest and Excellent Son; partly, that Ionathan's Innocency might be cleared; and partly, to stablish the Authority of Kings and Rulers, and the Obedience which Subjects owe to all their Lawful commands.

43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and lo, I must die .

I am Sentenced to Death for it; which is hard measure. He had another Answer, That he knew not of his Fathers command: but that being said before, v. 27. it was needless here to repeat it.

44 And Saul answered, God do so, and more also : for thou shalt surely die , Jonathan.

From this, and other like expressions of Saul's, some gather that he was exceeding prone to the vice of Swearing and Cursing.

Stange perversness! He who was so Indulgent, as to spare wicked Agag, chap. 15. is now so severe as to destroy his own worthy Son: he that could easily dispense with Gods Righteous and Reasonable Command, will not bear the violation of his own rash and foolish command; because his own Authority and Power is concerned in this, and onely Gods in the other.

Marginal references: R[illegible: 1+ letters]th 1. 17.

45 And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground: for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.

i. e. In concurrence with God, or by Gods help he had wrought this Salvation. God is so far from being offended with Ionathan, as thou apprehendest, that he hath graciously owned and assisted him in the great Service of this day.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1+ letters] ▪ Sam 14. 14. [illegible: 1+ letters] King. 1. [illegible: 1+ letters]2.

46 Then Saul went up from following the Philistines : and the Philistines went to their own place.

Partly, because he was discouraged by Gods refusing to Answer him; and partly, because his delays had given them occasion to secure themselves.

47 ¶ So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah , and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them .

i. e. Recovered it, and Resumed the Administration of it, after he had in a manner lost it; partly, by Samuel's Sentence, chap. 13. 14. and partly, by the Philistines, who had almost turned him out of it. But now being encouraged by this success, he returns to the exercise of his Kingly Office.

Which lay not far from Damascus. See 2 Sam. 8. 5.

Heb. He condemned them, he treated them like wicked People, and Enemies to God and his People: or, he punished them.

Marginal references: Chap. 11. 11.

48 And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites , and delivered Israel out of the hand of them that spoiled them.

Which is here mentioned onely in the general, but is particularly described in the next Chapter.

Marginal references: Or, wrought [illegible: 1+ letters]ghtily.; Chap. 15. 3.

49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui , and Melchishua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the firstborn, Merab, and the name of the younger, Michal.

Called also Abinadab, chap. 31. 2. and 1 Chron. 8. 33. Ishbosheth, Saul's other Son, is here omitted, because he intended to mention onely those of his Sons who went with him into the Battels here mentioned, and who were afterwards slain with him.

52 And there was [illegible: 1+ letters]ore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul▪ and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him .

Into his Service, or Army.

Marginal references: Chap. [illegible: 1+ letters]. 1[illegible: 1+ letters].